Telangiectasias and possible scleroderma lung

Carol,

I too hope this rheumy gets to the bottom of all this! I've had a bit of a rough week so haven't been on, and am recovering for a migraine but when I read your posts I had to respond and let you know how awful I feel for you. I don't know how scleroderma is treated. Just because your labs were low doesn't mean they still are. Your PCP isn't a reumy, and even though she tested you for it, she doesn't know as much about it as your reumy does. But it sure could explain all the difficulty you have breathing. Keep at it girl, and don't give up till you get the answers you need.

Thinking of you,

(((((Hugs)))))

Pat

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_{Lupus, Sjogren's, osteoarthritis, fibro, renauds, restless leg, hiatal hernia, double vision, migraines, costocondritis.
cellcept, neurontin, prednisone, plaquenil, synthroid, triamterene, tramadol, actonel, tri-est, imitrex, cymbalta, lunesta, multivitamin, calcium w vit D, fish oil, aspirin}

Okie, biopsies don't cause cancer! But sometimes biopsies are done when cancer is supected, so of course there are cases when that turns out to be correct.

Biopsies can also confirm or rule out other diagnoses also, such as scleroderma. Just because your test was negative for SCL-70 does not mean you don't have scleroderma. SCL-70 is just one of the antibodies that can contribute to the formation of scleroderma. Anti-centromere antibodies are another. I am negative for SCL-70, but positive for the anticentromere B test, which is supposed to be over 98% specific for CREST scleroderma. And even in CREST, there seem to be two varieties: anticentromere-positive CREST and anticentromere-negative CREST. They say that if you have Anticentromere antibodies, and two of the following, then you have CREST: calcium deposits in the soft tissues, Raynaud's (color changes in the hands or feet with cold temperatures), esophageal dysfunction (food lingering in the lower esophagus, or gastric reflux), sclerodactyly (starts out as ring size changes), or telangiectasias. You have the last one. Do you have any others? If so you have CREST.

I, too, am disturbed at your doc removing you from the plaquenil.

okie, I really hope you get some answers.

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Dx:fibromyalgia 2002, systematic lupus 2005- definate CNS involvement dxed late 2005, psoriasis 2006, rheumatoid arthritis 2006, PTSD 2007, multiple allergies 2005, migraine, compression fractures T11 & T12, Sjögren's, damaged periphrial nerves 2007, exema
Tx: plaquenil, Enbrel, Tramadol, Singulair, Skelaxin, Baby Asprin, Imuran, Prilosec, lasix, Evoxac, Celebrex, Darvocet when things get too bad, prednisone again, various vitamin/mineral supplements, cozar

Carol--
I hope you are doing okay. I have had trouble breathing due to COPD when I quit plaq and hopped back on fast, also had sudden fluid retention and heart palpitations. I guess it is doing something. I hope that you are feeling better. I hope all is well with you and your family. I'm rootin' for you!

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Love, Marji